Comments

I work in the Schrafft complex, and after reading about this, I trundled over to take a look. The water doesn't look any different (from the building at least), and there doesn't seem to be any additional or extra activity around the terminal. I'd be really surprised if they had it cleaned up already, so I'm kind of confused.

My guess would be the Coast Guard is charged with getting it done well and done right away. Later it can be determined if the company is liable for the cost. It's in the public interest is to not wait while lawyers argue over who's supposed to pay.

That street's condition is a disgrace to modern civilization. With all the commerce that rolls over that street, you think super # 1 top shelf hot top would be put down , deeply and often. And I am not buying that it would become a speedway short cut if it were done over smooth, the whole north shore is a speedway today.

While I love my car, I would also love to, yet refuse to, bike to work. Because that deathtrap of a road is my only option, and the fact that I'd have to physically climb out of anything I fell into is less than appealing.

Beachham Street is deliberately kept in a deplorable state of disrepair because it's the shortest route from East Boston, Chelsea, and the North Shore, that bypasses the exorbitant tolls on the Tobin Bridge, and the Sumner and Frozen Head tunnels. It's as simple as that.

Eventually, after they install a toll gantry on the Malden Bridge into Boston (Route 99), perhaps Beacham Street will get a coat of asphalt.

Facts are:
The company is required by federal law to have contracts with oil spill response companies for this type of situation and therefore the company hired the contractors, not the Coast Guard.

Asphalt is transferred at a temp. between 300 and 400 degrees, therefore upon contact with the water it solidified very quickly preventing a major spread and limiting environmental impact. This is why it wasn't visible from any sort of distance.

95% of the asphalt was pulled off the top of the water overnight, so don't expect to go down there and see much that looks unusual.